Elna Knutson

Elna Knutson, 97, of Rochester, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester.

A Celebration of Life service for Elna Louise Knutson, "GGEM" (Great Grandma, Grandma, Elna, Mom) will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 15, at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 2815 57th Street NW, Rochester, MN with Pastor Krista Strum officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, March 14, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, and an hour before the 11:00 am service on Saturday, March 15, at Hosanna.

Elna was born January 6, 1928, near Harper, TX. On June 23, 1946, she married Alvin Eugene "Gene" Knutson, formerly of Adams, MN, in San Antonio, TX. Prior to marriage, she attended Texas Lutheran College, and after marriage, Al and Elna attended Luther College together. Elna worked for IBM in various administrative capacities and retired after 20 years of service. Elna was one of the 14 original founders of Hosanna Lutheran Church. Faith and family were very important to Elna. She volunteered for many years at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, including as superintendent of Sunday Schools, and also volunteered at Hosanna Lutheran Church. She loved getting the family together whenever possible and made special meals and creative birthday cakes.

Survivors include a son, David Knutson (Pat Lam of Edina, MN; Lynne Gerber of Brooklyn, NY); two daughters, Janice (Charles) Engebretson of Sartell, MN; and Sonja Knutson of Rochester, MN; six grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Knutson, her mother, Clara, and her father, Raymond.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Seasons Hospice or Hosanna Lutheran Church.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Knutson family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.